Official

From ArticleWorld

The Official is an individual that holds an office in any type of organization and holds authority (either his or of his employer). The term “elected official” describes somebody that became an official because of an election. Officials can also be appointed, cooptated or in some circumstances the position can be hereditary. Antic Rome portrayed an official as being a high dignitary, for instance a governor. The public official is a person that is an official of local or centre government.

Officials

If used in ecclesiastical settings, official becomes a legal title given to a diocesan bishop’s judicial vicar. He shared the bishop’s judicial power over the diocese and presided over the diocese ecclesiastical court. A common usage of the word can also be found in sports. An official is a person that watches that rules are respected and this is done by being a referee, linesman or umpire.
Several people consider other terms (officer, functionary) to be synonyms of official. They are close in meaning if used in the proper setting but are not synonyms.